Assessing Nutritional Awareness: Maternal Health Outcomes
Location
Poster Session 1 (Henderson Library)
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology
Research Area Topic:
Public Health & Well Being - Community & Practice-based Research
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Helen Bland, Professor and Dr. Ana Palacios, Assistant Professor, in the Dept. of Health Policy & Community Health
Abstract
Maternal mortality rates and pregnancy complications are rising. Research to discover nutritional awareness among adults is vital in order to identify gaps that impact pregnancy outcomes. Purpose of this study was to assess the adults’ knowledge about nutritional impact on pregnancy, infant and maternal health. Poor nutrition during pregnancy is linked to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension and preterm delivery (Zhang et al, 2019). Expecting mothers without proper nutrition knowledge are unknowingly putting themselves and their unborn child at-risk (Das et al, 2018). Researchers hypothesized that nutritional knowledge is low among Georgia residents. A quantitative cross-sectional design study was employed using non-probability convenience sampling. An online survey was implemented between March 1-22, 2022 for residents, ages 18 and up. Descriptive and inferential statistics measured nutritional knowledge. Seven multiple choice questions and four demographic questions were asked. Nutritional questions were graded as correct/incorrect. Participants were males (n=100,20.9%), females (n=372, 77.7%) and 7 (1.5%) preferring not to state their gender. Most individuals (29.5%) were undergraduate students and Caucasian (n=301, 63.6%). Out of 499 participants, 59.3% identified folic acid as effective in reducing neural tube defects. Most participants (83.8%) incorrectly answered the safe amount for caffeine consumption. Only half of the participants knew that overweight women should gain less weight during pregnancy. Most participants (n=310, 62.1%) incorrectly stated that herbal supplements were safe for pregnant women. One-way ANOVAs were conducted on nutritional knowledge and demographics. Females possessed more nutritional pregnancy knowledge than males (p=0.000). Average age group scores for ages 31-40 (M=50.1587) and 41 years of age or older (M=45.2381) reported higher total nutritional knowledge. Results of this study revealed a substantial gap in nutrition-based knowledge surrounding pregnancy behaviors and outcomes. This data supports the need for implementation of nutrition educational programs and incentives in Georgia.
Program Description
Purpose of this study was to assess the adults’ knowledge about nutritional impact on pregnancy, infant and maternal health. A quantitative cross-sectional design study was employed using non-probability convenience sampling. Results of this study revealed a substantial gap in nutrition-based knowledge surrounding pregnancy behaviors and outcomes.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-20-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
4-20-2022 11:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Farnsworth, Hannah; Georgetown, Zaira; Jeudy, Melle; and Mack, Natalie, "Assessing Nutritional Awareness: Maternal Health Outcomes" (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 16.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/16
Assessing Nutritional Awareness: Maternal Health Outcomes
Poster Session 1 (Henderson Library)
Maternal mortality rates and pregnancy complications are rising. Research to discover nutritional awareness among adults is vital in order to identify gaps that impact pregnancy outcomes. Purpose of this study was to assess the adults’ knowledge about nutritional impact on pregnancy, infant and maternal health. Poor nutrition during pregnancy is linked to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension and preterm delivery (Zhang et al, 2019). Expecting mothers without proper nutrition knowledge are unknowingly putting themselves and their unborn child at-risk (Das et al, 2018). Researchers hypothesized that nutritional knowledge is low among Georgia residents. A quantitative cross-sectional design study was employed using non-probability convenience sampling. An online survey was implemented between March 1-22, 2022 for residents, ages 18 and up. Descriptive and inferential statistics measured nutritional knowledge. Seven multiple choice questions and four demographic questions were asked. Nutritional questions were graded as correct/incorrect. Participants were males (n=100,20.9%), females (n=372, 77.7%) and 7 (1.5%) preferring not to state their gender. Most individuals (29.5%) were undergraduate students and Caucasian (n=301, 63.6%). Out of 499 participants, 59.3% identified folic acid as effective in reducing neural tube defects. Most participants (83.8%) incorrectly answered the safe amount for caffeine consumption. Only half of the participants knew that overweight women should gain less weight during pregnancy. Most participants (n=310, 62.1%) incorrectly stated that herbal supplements were safe for pregnant women. One-way ANOVAs were conducted on nutritional knowledge and demographics. Females possessed more nutritional pregnancy knowledge than males (p=0.000). Average age group scores for ages 31-40 (M=50.1587) and 41 years of age or older (M=45.2381) reported higher total nutritional knowledge. Results of this study revealed a substantial gap in nutrition-based knowledge surrounding pregnancy behaviors and outcomes. This data supports the need for implementation of nutrition educational programs and incentives in Georgia.
